Machine for making piano-hammers.



No. 764,025- PATENTED JULY 5,1904. E. T. WOLF.

MAGHINE FOR MAKING PIANO HAMMERS. APPLICATION FILED MA: 20. 1902.

'NO MODEL. 7 7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES. lNVENTOH zdvzzuzdf'ilgb m Fig-1 BY ATTORNEY No. 764,025-PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. B. T. WOLF.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PIANO HAMMERS.

APPLIOATIQH FILED my 20. 1903. 1

no MODEL, 7 SHEETS-:SHBET 2.

No. 764,025. PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. E. T. WOLF. MACHINE FOR MAKING PIANOHAMMERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1903.

NO MODEL.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

//V VENTOR Zak/2202c? 1 24 0 5 W/T/VESSES,

PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

E. T. WOLF. MACHINE FOR MAKING PIANO HAMMERS.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 20. 1903. l

110 MODEL.

7 SHLPUTS-SHEET 6.

/N VIE N709 Edna zuzzZ 175521 ATTOHNEVD No. 764,025. PATENTEDJULY 5,1904. B. T. WOLF.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PIANO HAMMERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS*3HEET 6.

Q a w 5 2% & N 1- h w W/ TNESSE IN VENTOH A TTOFN VS No. 764,025.PATENTED'JULIY 5, 1904. E. T. WOLF. MACHINE FOR MAKING PIANO HAMMBRS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1903.

I0 IODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET 'I.

// Wlll\llillllllllill\lll J6 V m... mmunnummml WITNESSES: INVENTOI? 59Edmwzai' 27/155 UNITED STATES Patented July 5, 1904.

PATENT OEEIcE.

EDMUND T. WOLF, OF NENV YORK, N.'Y., ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD PIANO HAMMERAND FELT COMPANY, A CORPORATION NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOFi MAKING PlANO-HAMMERS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 764,025, dated July 5,1904.

Application filed May 20, 1903. Serial No. 157,953. (No mod To all whmnit may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND T. WoLE,a citizen of the United, States, anda resident of the city of New York, borough of the Bronx, in the countyand State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Machine for.

Making Piano -Hammers, 'of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description.

This invention relates to a machine for making piano-hammers, which willbe hereinafter fully described and claimed.

[t is Well known that a piano-hammer consists of a hard core or shank,usually of Wood and technically designated as a molding, and a strikingface or head made of felt, which is cemented to the molding or coreunder pressure. A set of these hammers for a piano vary in size, andbecause the felt is expensive it is usual to employ an inside layer offelt of cheaper grade.

The usual course of procedure in the manufacture of hammers is to employa hand-press in which is placed a felt die or mold that contains themoldings and felt for producing a number of hammers, and the press isthen operated by hand to subject the materials to pressure, after whichthe press and its contained parts are allowed to remain idle for asufficient length of time, usually five or six hours, in order that thecement which unites the materials may set and harden. There are certainpractical objections to the means and methods employed in the handmethod of making piano-hammers,'chief among which is the limited,irregular, and ungaged pressure to which the felt is subjected due tothe operation of the press by hand and also because the machine mustremain idle for so long a period of time necessary for the cement toharden and bind the felt and molding solidly together.

According to the present invention I produce a power-machine designed tosubject the materials in the felt die or mold to such a high degree ofpressure as will condense the fibers of the felt around the end of themolding and produce a solid hard striking-face at the active end of thehammer.

My machine is so constructed and operated that it does not remain idlefor the period required for the cement to bind the felt and moldings,because the felt die or mold in a locked condition is removable at willfrom the machine, thus allowing the machine to be used in a practicallycontinuous manner in the manufacture of sets of hammers.

By this invention I am able not only to reduce the cost of makingpiano-hammers, but I also produce hammers of a superior grade, the samebeing characterized by an improved pointed shape given to the strikingface formed by the condensed fibers of the felt covering at the end ofthe molding. I am also able to make all sets of hammers alike anduniform with respect to hardness and evenness of the felt by having anaccurate gage of the amount of pressure applied.

The machine includes a bed on which is adapted to be placed a removabletwo-part felt die or mold, or a mold composed of various sections, onwhich die or mold is laid a long piece or length of felt, the latterbeing tapered from one end to the other, so as to produce whensubsequently cut a series of coverings of different thicknesses for thedif ferent sizes of hammers forming the set. Above the place to beoccupied by the felt die or mold the machine is constructed for thereception of a longitudinal pressure-head, which is equipped with adetachable holder or clamp for the reception of the plurality of woodenmoldings or cores, and with this pressure-head is associated certainshiftable molding-pressure devices by means of which the pressure head,with its charge or load of moldings, may be lowered, so as to impose themoldings directly upon the length of felt previous to closing the feltdie or mold and the felt strip around the moldings or cores, saidpressure-head and devices serving to forcibly press the moldings uponthe felt or embed them in said felt. The machine also includes adiepressure mechanism by which the two-part felt die or mold may now beclosed, so as to compress the felt under powerful pressure around theplurality of moldings, after which the felt die or mold is locked whilethe pressure is still applied. The machine now operates again to releasethe molding-pressure appliances, and the molding-clamp is unlocked fromthe longitudinal pressure-head, thus permitting the locked and loadedfelt die or mold to be removed from the machine, so as to be set asidefor the proper length of time to insure setting or hardening of thecement; but the parts of the machine are restored to normal positions inorder that other felt dies or molds may be introduced to renew withoutdelay the process of making other sets of hammers.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a view in end elevation of a piano -hammer making machineembodying my invention and illustrating the parts in their openedpositions for the reception of the felt die or mold and the work. Fig. 2is an elevation looking at one side of the machine from the right inFig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are views in end elevation looking at the same endas in Fig. 1 and illustrating different positions of the parts duringthe operation of the machine. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional plan viewtaken in the plane of the dotted line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is anenlarged detail view showing a means for locking one end of the moldingor core clamp to an end portion of the longitudinal pressure-head. Fig.7 is a detail sectional elevation taken in the plane of the dotted line7 7 of Fig. 2 and showing the automatic stop-motion in elevation. Fig. 8is an enlarged detail view in cross-section through a part of themachine, showing the mold-pressure devices and the felt die or mold intheir open positions, the plane of the section being indicated by thedotted line 8 8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showingthe mold-pressure devices and the felt die or mold in their closedpositions. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, on an enlargedscale, through that part of the machine adapted to sustain the removablefelt die or mold and showing the longitudinal pressure-head, togetherwith the independent molding-pressure devices for said head. Fig. 11 isa sectional plan View, on an enlarged scale, of one of thevertically-slidable cross-heads and the means for actuating the same,said cross-head serving to actuate means for locking themolding-pressure devices of the longitudinal pressure-head in thelowered active positions of said parts; and Fig. 12 is an enlargedvertical section on the line 12 12 of Fig. 11.

The several operating mechanisms of my improved piano-hammer-makingmachine are mounted on a suitable framework, shown by the drawings asconsisting of the end frames A A, which are united substantially by ahorizontal beam B, and various other contrivances entering into thestructure of the machine, said beam B having flanges .7) b and a seriesof strengthening-webs 6 (See Figs. 2, 8, and 9.) The beam B is boltedsolidly at its ends to the end frames A A, and on the horizontal flangeof this beam is securely bolted a bed C, having a top flange 0, whichcarries a series of brackets 1). A number of these brackets areemployed,and they are disposed in endwise-abutting engagement, as shownby Fig. 2, said brackets having depending lugs cl, which are providedwith clamping-screws d, adapted to bindagainst the head-flange 0 of thebed C. The continuous series of brackets D are held solidly on the bed,and these brackets support or carry a track or rail E, which receives afelt die or mold F, the latter being insertible and removable by slidingit endwise into and from the machine. This track or rail E is shown byFigs. 8 and 9 as having an upstanding flange 0 arranged to fit in agroove f in the bottom of the felt die or mold F, and said track E formsa horizontal guideway which runs practically the full length of themachine, thus enabling me to use a long felt die or mold adapted tocontain a strip or length of felt which is suflicient to make a completeset of piano-hammers.

1 may employ any suitable type of felt die or mold in connection withthe machine; but the construction of this mold does not form a part ofthe present invention. To enable others to understand the invention, Ihave shown one form of felt die or mold, (indicated at F which consistsof two members ff hinged in such a way as to present a solid smoothcontinuous surface on the inner side of the felt die or mold,substantially as shown by Fig. 8. The members of this divided felt dieor mold are adapted to be opened and closed in a lateral direction, andthese members are provided with a plurality of upstanding arms f,disposed in pairs and adapted in the closed position of the felt die ormold to be locked by transverse fasteners, such as the pins or bolts f.(Shown by Fig. 9.) Thedivided felt die or mold is adapted to receive atapering layer of felt, substantially as shown by Fig. 8, and after thecores or moldings shall have been pressed upon this layer of felt in theoperation of the machine the felt die or mold is closed and subjected toa high degree of pressure by the action of moldingpressure devices.whichwill now be described.

The series of brackets D are provided with bearings d at the sidesthereof, and in these bearings of said fixed brackets are supported thehorizontal parallel arbors 5 5, the same lying close together anddisposed below the track or rail E, which receives the mold F. On thearbors 5 5 are fulcrumed the two series of pressure-levers 6 6, eachhaving the form shown more clearly by Figs. 8 and 9. The levers areapproximately triangular, and they are fulcrumed at their lower innercorners by said parallel arbors. The levers are provided at their uppercorners with short sleeves 7 and with the notches 8, and'in thesesleeves are slidably fitted the stems 9, each having a head 10, on whichheads are loosely journaled roller shoes 11, the same being adapted torotate'freely on the headed. stem. Each stem is provided at its outerend with a nut 12, which limits the movement of the stem in onedirection, and around the stem is placed a coiled spring 13, one end ofwhich is seated against the sleeve 7 of the lever, while the other endacts against the head 10 of said stem in a way to force the roller-shoestoward the felt die or mold. It will be understood that the two seriesof levers are disposed on the opposite sides of the machine, and theselevers are arranged to present their stems and rollershoes in facingrelation to the members f f of the hinged felt die or mold when thelatter is in position on the rail E within the machine. The levers aremovable for a limited distance toward each other and toward the mold;but when the levers assume the downwardly-diverging position shown byFig. 8 the roller-shoes 11 are spread and the felt die or mold can openfreely within the frame. These levers are forced upwardly at their outerends in order to press the inner ends and the roller-stems toward thefelt die or mold, and during this inward movement of said rollerstemswith the levers the shoes 11 engage with the arms f of the divided feltdie or mold in a way to press the mold-sections f f into their closedpositions.

I will now proceed to describe the means by which thetwo series ofdie-pressure levers 6 6 are simultaneously actuated with a view toclosing the felt die or mold and exerting a powerful compression on thefelt therein. The levers forming each series are connected loosely attheir outer ends to shiftable rods 14 15, arranged horizontally on therespective sides of the frame and capable of .movement in arcs ofcircles with the series of levers 6 6 on the centers afforded by thearbors 5 5*.

These rods or arborsare connected at their respective ends with thevertical pairs of links or rods 16 17, and the lower ends of these linksare provided with wrist-pins 18, aranged to fit in the arcuate slots 19of the wormgears 20 21. The end frames A A are provided at their lowerportions with suitable shaft-bearings, which accommodate the horizontalcounter-shafts 22 23, disposed longitudinally of the machine on therespective sides thereof, each counter-shaft being provided at one endwith a worm-gear 20 and at its opposite end with a similar worm-gear21,.the two worm-gears on each counter-shaft. having arcuate slots 19disposed in similar positions. The two'counter-shafts 22 23 are. adaptedto rotate in .opposite directions simultaneously and at equal speeds,and .to this end Iemploy driving-shafts 24 25.. (See Figs.

2 and 5.) The driving-shaft 24 is arranged in ahorizontal positionacross the end frame A and directly vabove'the counter-shafts 22 23 andthe gears 20 thereon, said shaft 24 being which is adapted to engage ashiftable driving-belt 29. The said driving-shaft 24 is also providedwith worms 30, which are disposed directly oven the gears 20 to haveintermeshing engagement therewith, (see Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive,) andsaid shaft 24 is also provided with a pair of bevel-gears 31 32, thelatter being disposed in facing relation and mounted loosely on theshaft. The other shaft, 25, is disposed in a horizontal position acrossthe other end frame A directly .over the gears .21 on the counter-shafts22 '23, said'shaft 25 being jour-' naled in suitable bearings 33, whichare fixed to said end frame A. This shaft 25 is provided with worms 34,arranged to mesh di' rectly with the worm-gears 21, and the shaft isfurthermore provided with a pair of loose facing bevel-gears 35 36,similar to the gears 31 32 on the shaft 24, which is equipped with thepulleys 27 28. Said shafts 24 25 are equipped similarly to one another,except that the shaft 24 has the belt-pulleys. The end frames A A arefurthermore provided with vertically-alined shaft-bearings 37 38, and inthese bearings are journaled vertical threaded shafts 39, one at eachend of the machineframe. Each vertical threaded shaft is pro-- videdatits lower end portion with a bevelgear 40, disposed between the facingbevelgears 31 32 or 35 36 on one horizontal shaft 24 or 25, saidbevel-gear 40 being in intermeshing engagement with both of the gears onthe horizontal driving-shaft, so as to be driven in one direction ortheother, accord-' ing to the particular gear 31 32 or 35 36 which maybe made fast with said horizontal shaft. The end frames A A are alsoprovided with vertical flanges 41, forming a vertical guideway adjacentto each vertical screw 'shaft, and in this guideway is slidably confineda vertically-movable cross-head 42,0ne of which is provided at each endof the machine-frame. Each cross-head has a nut 43cmounted looselytherein, and said nut has threaded engage ment with theverticalscrew-shaft 39, where' by the rotation of the screw-shaft willimpart traveling movement to the nut and the cross-head in a directionlimited by the vertical guide 41. This nut of the cross-head is equippedwith two ratchets '44 45, which are fastened in a suitable way to theupper and lower faces of the nutas,- for example, by the screws 46. Oneof the ratchets, 44, has teeth runningin a left-hand direction, whiletheother ratchet, 45, has teeth running in a right-hand direction, theteeth of the ratchets being thusreversely disposed. The

upper ratchet, 44, is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 47, which is hungat 48 on the crosshead and is provided near its free end with anupstanding lip or shoulder 49. The lower ratchet, 45, is likewiseadapted to be engaged by a pawl 50, (indicated by full and dotted lines,respectively, in Fig. 11,) said lower pawl being hung on the under sideof the crosshead at 51 and having a lip or shoulder 52, the latterdepending from the pawl. The two pawls are normally pressed inwardtoward their ratchets by the action of stems 53,which are fittedslidably in sleeves 54 of a bracket 55, that is bolted to the slidablecross-head 42, and around these stems are fitted the coiled springs 56,which are seated against the arms of the bracket 55 and against suitableprojections on the stems, so as to hold them in engagement with thepawls 47 50, respectively. In the upward movement of the cross-head thepawl 47 is adapted to be thrown out of engagement with the ratchet 44 byits shoulder 49 engaging with a stop-disk 57, which is screwed on theupper portion of the vertical screw-shaft 39' and is held againstdisplacement thereon by a jam-nut 58. (See Fig. 12.)

The vertical screw-shaft 39 on the end frame A is driven directly fromthe horizontal driving-shaft 24, and this shaft is provided with asprocket-gear 59, the latter having a hub or flange 60, which lies inthe path of the shoulder 52 on the under side of the pawl 50, adapted toengage with the lower ratchet, 45, of the nut, said hub serving to throwthe lower pawl out of engagement with the ratchet when the cross-headand the follower-nut reach the limit of their movement in a downwarddirection. This sprocket-gear 59 is engaged directly by an endlesssprocket-chain 61. which extends in a horizontal direction across themachine below the mold-bed and the pressure devices therefor. (See Fig.5.) The sprocket-chain 61 is thus driven by the vertical screw-shaft,which in turn is propelled by the shaft 24, and this sprocket-chain isfitted to a sprocket-gear 62 on the other vertical screw-shaft 39, whichis connected by the bevel-gears 40 and 35 or 36 to the companiondriving-shaft 25, whereby the motion of the shaft 24 is transmitted bythe two sets of bevel-gears, the screw-shaft, and the described train ofsprocket-gearing to the shaft 25 for the purpose of rotating the latterat the same speed as the shaft 24, so that the countershafts 22 23 willbe driven by trains of gearing at the respective ends thereof.

The endless sprocket-chain 61 is engaged by an idler-sprocket 63,suitably mounted on a horizontal member A of the machine-frame, as shownby Fig. 5, and this sprocket-chain is adapted under certain conditionsto be propelled by ahand-shaft 64. (See Figs. 2 and 5.) This hand-shaftis journaled in a fixed bracket 66 on the end frame A, and it is equppedwith a hand-wheel 67 and with a sprocket-gear 68,

the latter engaging with one or both leads of the sprocket-chain 61; Thehand-wheel 67 occupies a position below the felt die or mold and theactuating devices therefor, so that the wheel may be easily reached andoperated by hand in case of emergency.

The vertically-movable cross-heads 42 actuate the means for locking amolding or corepressure device in immovable relation to the felt on themold F. Each cross-head 42 is provided at its sides with lugs 69,disposed in pairs and adapted to receive the lower ends of links 7 0,said links being pivoted to said lugs 69 of the cross-head by transversepins or bolts 71, as shown by Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 11. The upper ends ofthese links 7 O are pivoted by pins or bolts 72 to the lower arms ofirregular locking-levers 73, a pair of which is fulcrumed on each endframe A A of the framework. These locking levers are fulcrumed at pointsintermediate of their length by longitudinal and horizontal arbors 74,journaled in the end frames, and the inner ends of the levers of eachpair are provided with locking-shoulders 75, which are adapted forengagement with stirrups 76 at the end portions of the molding-pressuredevices for the longitudinal pressure-head adapted to carry the moldingor core clamp, as will presently appear.

The end frames A A are provided with openings a, which permit the readyintroduction of the felt die or mold F through either end of themachine, and these end frames are also provided with vertical slots to,which are disposed above the opening a and open into the latter. Thevertical slots a in the end frames accommodate the end portions ofthe'horizontal pressure-head G, which extends longitudinally through theframe and is disposed in a plane above'the position occupied by the feltdie or mold. This pressure-head Gr is of trussed construction tosuccessfully withstand the strain and pressure to which it is exposed inthe operation of the machine, and said head is provided in its underside with a longitudinal recess or channel g and with a series oftransverse notches g. (See Fig. 10.) In the recess or channel g of thispressure-head is adapted to fit a horizontal clamp H, which isconstructed to sustain the large number of moldings or cores for a setof piano-hammers. This clamp 11 may consist of two or more parts boltedremovably together to allow of the introduction and removal of themoldings or cores, and said clamp is adapted to extend the full lengthof the pressure-head G when it is applied thereto, su bstantially asshown by Figs. 2 and 10. The clamp may be locked to the pressure-head byany suitable devices adapted to facilitate the insertion and removal ofsaid clamp; but, as shown by Fig. 6, this clamp H is provided at eachend with a socket it, into which is adapted to snap a latch-bolt it,which is contained in suitable casings if, provided on the under tionthereof.

side of thepressure-head G at the end por- This latch has a stem 7L3,around which is fitted a coiled spring hflwhieh acts against the latchto normally project it to the active position; but the stem k may bemanipulated for the purpose of retracting the latch and disengaging itfrom the mold orcore clamp H. A The end portions of the longitudinalpressure-head G are fashioned to produce the guide portions 9 which passthrough the slots a and are adapted to be limited thereby to movement ina vertical path. The projecting guide portionsv g of said pressure-headare equipped with guide-sheaves 7 6, below which pass the cables ,77,running upwardly from said sheaves 76 over pulleys 78 and thenceextending in downward directions to the pins or bolts 71, the free endsof each cable being fastened to a pair of these bolts or pins, whichconnect the links with one traveling crosshead 42. The sheaves orpulleys 78 are loosely journaled on arbors which are carriedbyupstanding brackets 79, the latter being fastened in stationarypositions on the projecting end portions of the spindles or arbors 74,which serve as the fulcra for the locking-levers 73.

The described connections between the cross-heads 42 and thepressure-head G allows the latter to move in a downward direction on theupward movement of the cross-heads, the latter being actuated by thescrew-shafts 39; but when the cross-heads 42 are moved in downwarddirections the cables 77 pull on the sheaves 76 and positively raise thepressurehead, whereby the cross-heads and the pres-- sure-head move inopposite directionssimultaneously. This pressure-head G is adapted to beforced downwardly in order to press the series of moldings. or cores inthe clamp H forcibly upon the felt. resting upon the felt die or mold bythe action of a molding-pressure mechanism, herein shown as part of themachine, .but which forms no part of the present invention, because itconstitutes the subject-matter of a separate application filed by me ofeven date herewith, Serial No. 157,954e This molding-pressure mechanismincludes upstanding posts 80, which are fixed to the projecting guideportions of said pressure-head Gr,and on the upper ends of these postsare fulcrumed the levers 81, each lever being fulcrumed on one post inaway to produce a very short arm,as shown in Figs. 2 and 10. A yoke 82 ispivoted at 83 to the short arm of each lever 81, and from this yokedepends a threaded rod 84, which is fastened to theanchor-stirrup 76,the latter being adapted for engagement by the locking-shoulder-H at theinner ends ofthe pair of locking-levers 73 when the moldingpressuremechanism is lowered to its active position. The long arm. of .eachlever 81 is equipped with a weight 85, the latter being slidablyguidedby overhead rods 86, adapted tobe fastened to a ceiling, as shown inFig. 1, and

these weights may be lifted by the employment of straps orcables 87,which are adapted to run over overhead sheaves 88 and to have their freeends fastened to a part of the machineas, for example, the pin 89. Byreference to Figs. 2 and 10 it will be seen that the levers 81 aredisposed in crossing relation and that the long arms of said levers areequipped with weights .85, which may be raised manually through theagency of the straps or cables 87, whereas the short arms of said leversare provided with suspended stirrups adapted to be anchored or locked bythe levers 73 when the pressure mechanism is lowered in order to holdthe molding-pressure head G in fixed relation to the work. Each weightconsists of aplurality of .superposed members adapted to be increased ordecreased in number, according to. the pressure required on the head G.

On each shaft 24 25 is arranged a shiftable double clutch 90, which isfastened to the shaft by a feather or spline in a way to make the clutchrotate with the. shaft and at the same time permit it to have alimitedslidable movement thereon. The clutch 9.0. is provided with clutch-facesat its respective ends, and one or the other of-these faces is adaptedto have interlocking engagement. with a clutchface on the hub of thebevel-gears 31 32 or 35 36, as clearly shown by Figs. 1, 3,and 4. of thedrawings. This shiftable clutch 90 is also provided with worm-teeth 91,with which meshes the toothed end .of a shipping-lever 92, fulcrumedatapoint intermediate of its length on one end frame and having its lowerend pivoted to a shipper-bar 93, the latter being arranged in ahorizontal position for slidable movement in suitable guides 94. The endportions of each shipper-bar 92 are equipped with roller-shoes 95, whichride against suitable impelling-cams 9 6 97. A pair of theseimpelling-cams aresecured on the counter-shafts 22 23 and on oppositesides of the shipper-bar 93,. said cams being fashioned to positivelymove the shipper-bar back and forth and to give therequiredmovementthereto for the purpose ofmoving the clutch 90 into andout ofengagementwith the gears on the horizontal driving-shafts at therequired periods. When the machine is first started in operation, theclutch90 engages with the gears 32 35, as shown by Figs. 1 and 5,in'order that the screw-shafts 39 maybe rotated in a direction to raisethe crossheads-AE2 for the purpose ofmoving the locking-levers 73 intoengagement with the stirrups .76 after the mold} allowing the verticalshafts 39 to remain at rest. The parts remain in this position until thefelt die or mold shall have been closed and the materials subjected topressure, after which the felt die or mold is locked. The levers 92 arenow moved by the shipper-bars 93 and by the action of the cams 96 97 tomove the clutches 90 into engagement with the gears 31 36, so that thethreaded shafts 39 will be driven in an opposite direction for thepurpose of lowering the cross-heads 42, whereby the levers 73 arewithdrawn from engagement with the stirrups 76, so that the straps orcables 87 may be pulled down for the purpose of raising thepressure-weights 85 and the levers 81. After the cross-heads 42 shallhave been lowered the earns 96 97 again become active to move the bars43 and the levers 92 in a manner to shift the clutches 90 fromengagement with the gears 31 36 into engagement with the gears 32 35,the clutches thus making one complete movement in an opposite direction,whereas the first shifting movement of the clutches allows them toremain idle or at rest between the periods of engagement with the pairsof gears.

In connection with the shiftable arbors 14 15, which serve as the meansfor uniting the die-pressure levers 6 6 of the two series with the links16, adapted to be driven intermittently by the pairs of worm-gears 2021, 1 employ a checking or retarding mechanism which takes up the shockor jar due to the return of the die-pressure devices to their openedpositions and to the idle movements of the crank-pins 18 in the slots 19of said wormgears. This checking mechanism is shown by Figs. 2 and 7 ofthe drawings in the form of a dash-pot; but the specific type ofchecking mechanism is not material. The dash-pot has a cylinder 98,which is provided with lateral lugs 99, to which are pivoted theupwardlydiverging links 100, (see Fig. 7,) said links extending upwardlyto the shiftable arbors 14 15 and connected loosely therewith. Thedash-pot cylinder 98 is located centrally between the end frames andbelow the felt die or mold and the die and pressure mechanisms, and thiscylinder is fitted slidably to a stationary piston 101, which isfastened to a rod 102, secured to the floor by any approved means.

The driving-belt 29 is loosely engaged by a belt-shipper yoke 103, whichis provided with a sleeve 104, the latter being slidable freely on ahorizontal guide-rod 105, secured to suitable posts 106. To this yoke103 is connected a link 107, having its opposite end attached outer endwith a notched collar 112, against.

which acts a coiled spring 113 and with said collar is adapted to engagea locking-lever 114, the latter being fulcrumed to a fixed bracket 115on the end frame A. The lower end of the lever 114 is disposed in thepath of a series of projections 116 on a segment 117, the latter beingfast with one of the counter-shafts 23, so as to rotate therewith.

The parts'just described constitute an automatic stop-motion by whichthe belt 29 is shipped from the fast pulley 27 over to the loose pulley28 at certain periods in the operation of the machinefirst, when thecrossheads 42 reach the limit of their upward movement; second, on thearrival of the crossheads at the limit of their downward movement, and,third, when the clutches 90 are shifted from the gears 21 36 over to thegears 32 35. The shipper-yoke 103 is moved by hand through any suitableappliance (not shown) to transfer the belt from the loose pulley 28 overto the fast pulley 27, and on this movement of the yoke 103 the lever108 is moved in a direction to impart slidable movement to the rod 110,thus bringing the lever 114 into position to lock the parts in theiradjusted positions. At the proper period in the rotation of the shaft 23one of the projections 116 engages with the lever 114 to move it fromthe notch of the rod 110, thus allowing the spring 113 to act in a waywhich will move the lever 108 and the yoke 103 for the purpose ofshifting the belt 29 from the fast pulley to the loose pulley.

The operation of the machine may be described as follows: With the partsof the machine in the positions shown by Figs. 1 and I 8 the felt die ormold F is moved endwise into the machine, said felt die or mold slidingon the track or rail E and held in position thereby, the felt die ormold being open. A strip of felt X is laid on the felt die or mold, asshown by Fig. 8, said strip of felt having the tapering shape shown byFig. 10. A number of moldings or cores Y are assembled in abuttingengagement in the clamp H, and this clamp is adjusted in the groove 9 ofthe pressure-head G and locked in position therein by the lockingcontrivances shown by Fig. 6. The operator now shifts the yoke 103 in adirection to transfer the belt from the idle pulley to the fast pulley,and the machine is started in operation. The shafts 24 25 are rotatedsimultaneously,owing to the described trains of gearing between them,and the worm-gears 20 21 are driven by the worms on said shafts 24 25 todrive the counter-shafts 22 23; but during this cycle of operations thecrank-pins 18 are not actuated by the wormgears 20 21, because said pinstravel in the slots of the worm-gears, thus allowing themolding-pressure devices to remain at rest. At the same time the gears32 36 drive the threaded shafts 39 in proper directions for the purposeof raising the cross-heads 12, thus slackening the cables 77 to permitthe pressurehead to descend, and the links 7 O are raised by the upwardmovement of these cross-heads 12 for the purpose of moving thelocking-levers 73 into positions for engagement with the stirrups 76.Before the cross-head is fully lowered or at the same time that thecross-head is lowered the operator should disengage the straps 87 fromthe pin 89, and the weights 85 and the levers 81 are thus lowered, sothat the stirrups will be engaged bythe levers 73 and the pressure willbe applied upon the crosshead G by the ponderosity of the weigh tsaugmented by the action of the levers. The moldings in the clamp H arethus pressed forcibly upon the strip of felt X. During the upwardmovement of the cross-heads 12, the pawls 47 make the upper ratchets 14:fast with the nuts 13, thus holding the nuts locked on the crossheads 12and permitting the screw-shafts 39 to raise the cross-heads; but whenthe crossheads reach the limit of their upward movement the shoulders4:9 of the pawls 17 engage with the fixed stop-nuts57, thereby throwingsaid pawls 17 out of engagement with the ratchets 4:4 and permitting thenuts 43 to rotate with the screw-shafts 39, the parts thus acting assafety devices to prevent the cross:

heads from moving too far in an upward direction. At the same time thatthe cross-heads reach the limit of their upward movements and thepressure-head is lowered the moldingpressure mechanism-for said head islocked and the stop-motion becomes effective in shipping the belt fromthe fast pulley to the loose pulley. This is due to the fact that thesegment 117 rotates with the shaft 23 for one of its projections 116 toengage with the lever 11 1 in a way to release said lever and permit thespring 113 to move the rod llOandthe lever 108 in a way to return theyoke 103 to the position shown by Fig. 5. While the shafts 39 are beingdriven from the shafts 24 25 the gears 20 21 and the shafts 22 23 arealso turning; but, although the vertically slidable cross-heads areeffective in actuating the devices which lock the pressure-head G in thelowered position in order to 'pressthe mold ings forcibly upon the felt,the mold F reare pressed forcibly on the felt for a short pe-- riodbefore the mold is closed. The operator now throws the machine intoaction again by shipping the belt to the fast pulley, and the gears 2021 make a half-rotation for the purpose of carrying the crank-pins 18from the positions shown in Fig. 3. tothe positions.

shown in' Fig. 1, the cross-heads, the molding-pressure head, and thepressure mechanism remaining in their lockedi pesitions. The links 16are thus raised to correspondingly move the shiftable rods 14 15 and thetwo series of die-pressure levers 6 6, thus making the roller-shoes 11ride against the arms f of the die or mold for the purpose of closingthe latter and compressing the felt X around the The operator may nowlook the die or mold in its closed position and disengage the clamp Hfrom the pressure-head, after which the machine is again started inoperation. At this periodthe clutches 91 mesh with the gears 31 36 forthe purpose of rotating the screw-shafts in an opposite direction, andthe pawls 17 thus have no influence on the nuts, whereas the pawls 50make the lower ratchets fast with the nuts, so that the cross-heads42-will travel in a downward direction until the shoulders 52 of thelower pawls engage with the hubs of the sprocket-gears 59, therebymaking said cross-heads 4:2 pull on the cables 77 in a way to raise themolding-pressure head G and the posts 80. The pressure mechanism may beraised by pulling the straps. 89, which raises the weights and thelevers 81, said straps being engaged with the pin 89. At this cycle ofoperations the worm-gears 20 21 travel idly with respect to thecrank-pins 18 to make a quarter-turn and cause the parts to again assumethe positions shown by Fig. 1. During, such period of idle motion of thegears 20 21 the levers 6 6, the links, and the wrist-pins 1 are at restin the raised positions shown by Fig. 4, the wrist-pins being at thedead-center and directly over the countershafts, and the worm-gears movean angular distance equivalent to the length of the slots- 19 withoutinfluencing the wrist-pins and other parts of the mold closing andpressure devices.v

While such idle motion of the worm-gears takes place the cross-heads arebeing returned to their lowered positions and the pressurehead andpressure mechanism are being raised, as just described; but as theworm-gears 2O 21 continue to turn the other ends of the slots 19 impingethe wristpins 18, thus carrying them past the dead-centers and allowingthem to move quickly in the slots 19 of the gears for the purpose ofquickly withdrawing the pressure-levers 6 6 from the mold. The shock orjar due to the ,weight of the levers on the quick movement of .saidpressure-levers and their associated parts is absorbed by. the dash-potdevices, because the cylinder 98 is linked to the rods 14 15, the latterbeing connected to the series of arbors. mechanism again becomes activein shipping .the belt from .thev fast pulley, and thema- IIO The stopchine takes a position of rest, thus allowing the die or mold, with itscharge or load, to be removed from the machine, while the clutches areshifted into engagement with the gears 32 36 by the operation of thecams for the purpose of placing the machine in a condition to resume theoperation.

The employment of the yieldalole stems 9, which carry the shoes arrangedto ride against the die or mold, is advantageous in permitting themolding-pressure devices to accommodate themselves to the die or mold,which acts on the wooden cores or moldings of different sizes; but thesprings 13 are exceedingly strong, so as to secure the desired pressureon the mold when the pressure-levers 6 6 are raised.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent* 1. In a machine for making pi ano-hammers, thecombination of a felt-die, a molding-pressure mechanism movablerelatively to the feltdie, means for automatically locking themolding-pressure mechanism in its operative relation to the felt-die,die-pressure devices cooperating with said die, and means for actuatingthe die-pressure devices intermittently; said die-pressure-actuatingmeans remaining inactive during the periods of shifting movement of themolding-pressure mechanism toward the felt-die.

2. In amachine for making piano-hammers, the combination of a felt-die,a molding-pressure mechanism shiftable relatively to the feltdie andcapable of assuming a stationary, cooperative relation thereto,automatic devices for locking the molding-pressure mechanism in saidcooperative relation to the felt-die, diepressure devices cooperatingwith said felt-die and operable to close the latter subsequently to thepresentation of moldings by said pressure mechanism to said felt-die,and driving devices for actuating the automatic locking devices and thedie-pressure devices for the latter to remain idle during the periodsthat the automatic locking devices are being shift.- ed into and out oflocking relation to the molding-pressure mechanism.

3. In amachine for making pianorhammers, the combination of a felt-die,a pressure-head movable relatively to the felt die and having means forcarrying and presenting hammermoldings to said die, means for lockingsaid pressure-head against movement away from the die when presented incooperative relation thereto, die-pressure devices cooperating with saidfelt-die, and means for automatically actuating thepressure-head-locking devices during the periods of rest of thedie-pressure devices. I

4:. In amachine for making piano-hammers, the combination of a felt-die,two series of diepressure devices cooperating with the respective sidesof said die, driving mechanism for intermittently actuating saiddie-pressure dethe combination with a felt-die, and a moldingpressurehead shiftable relatively thereto, of a pressure mechanism shiftablewith said head. and including locking-stirrups, slidable crossheadsmovable relative to the pressure-head and in an opposite directionsimultaneously therewith, locking devices controllable by saidcross-heads and cooperating with said lockingstirrups for holding thepressure-head in a locked cooperative relation to the felt-die, andmeans for imparting traversing movement to the cross-heads.

6. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, and a moldingpressure head shiftable relatively thereto, oftraveling cross-heads, means connecting said cross-heads andpressure-head and operable to move the latter in one direction on atraversing movement of the cross-heads, locking devices controllable bythe cross-heads and cooperating with the pressure-head, and means forgiving traversing movement to the crossheads.

7. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, and a shiftable molding-pressure head, of slidable cross-headshaving operative connection with said pressure-head and operable topositively lift the latter, means for imparting traversing movement tothe cross-heads, and pressure mechanism cooperating with saidpressure-head and controllable by the travel of the cross-heads; saidpressure mechanism being efi'ective in its action on the pressure-headsubsequent to the movement of the latter into cooperative rela tion tothe felt-die.

8. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, of a moldingpressure head slidable by gravity toward thefelt-die, slidable cross-heads movable relatively to the pressure-head,means connecting the cross-heads and the pressure-head for positivelylifting the latter, and means for imparting traversing movement to thecross-heads.

9. In amachine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, of a moldingpressure head slidable relatively to said die,cross-heads slidable with relation to the pressure-head, meansconnecting said cross-heads and the pressure-head and operable to movethe latter on the travel of the cross-heads in one direction, means forimparting traversing movement to the cross-heads, and a pressuremechanism cooperating with said pressurehead and controllable by thetravel of the cross-heads, said pressure mechanism including devices forlocking it in position subsequent to the movement of the pressure-headin cooperative relation to the felt-die.

' 10. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, of a moldingpressure head shiftable relatively thereto,cross-heads having operative connection with said pressure-head formoving the latter," a driving-shaft, means actuated by the driving-shaftfor intermittently imparting traversing movement to the cross-heads,diepressure devices cooperating with said feltdie, and trains of drivingconnections geared to the driving-shaft and timed to actuate thedie-pressure devices in the intervals of rest of thecross-head-actuating means.

' 11. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, and molding-pressure heads, of'a driving-shaft, means actuatedby said shaft for controlling the movement of said pressure-head, twoseries of die-actuating levers in cooperative relation to the respectivesides of the felt-die, counter-shafts geared to the driving-shaft,

and slotted gears on the counter-shafts and linked to the series ofdie-actuating levers for moving the latter with periods of'rest or dwellin the intervals of movement of the pressurehead.

12. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afeltdie, a main shaft, and molding-pressure mechanism cooperating withsaid die and actuated intermittently by operative connections with saidshaft, of two series of die-pressure levers mounted in cooperativerelation to the felt-die, means driven by the main shaftfor positivelymoving'said levers at a desired interval toward the felt-die andoperable to allow a quick return movement by the gravity of the levers,andmeans for absorbing'the shock due to such quick return of the leversto normal position. I v

13. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, a main shaft, and molding-pressure mechanism cooperating withsaid die and actuated intermittently by operative connections with saidshaft, of two series of die pressure levers mounted in cooperativerelation to said die, slotted gears driven from the main shaft, linksconnected to said levers and having wristpins arranged to play atintervals in the slots of said gears, said links and gears beingeffective in closing the die through the action of the levers subsequentto the movement of the molding-pressure mechanism toward the die andalso. permitting the levers to return 'mittently byfoperative'connections with said shaft, of two series of angular levers fulcrumedbelow the die and each-lever provided with a guide, a cushioned stemmovable in each guide, a shoe carried by each stem and engaging with themold, and driving devices actuated, by the shaft for positively 'movingthe levers of the two series toward'the mold.

15. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, a main shaft, and molding-pressure mechanism cooperating withsaid die and actuated intermittently by operative connections with saidshaft, of'two series of angular levers fulcrumed below said die andprovided with shoes arranged for engagement with opposite sides of thedie, said levers and their shoes being movable to spread positionsandfree from the die, arbors uniting the levers of each series, linksconnected to said arbors, and gears driven by the shaft andhaving'connection with said links.

16. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, a main shaft, and molding-pressure mechanism cooperating withsaid die and actuated intermittently by operative connections with saidshaft, of two series of pressure-levers in cooperative relation to thedie and movable by gravity to lowered inoperative positions, operatingmeans for moving said levers vertically against the action of gravityand effective in closing the die with periods of lost motion followingthe closure of the die, and means for absorbing the shock due to thereturn of the levers by gravity to normal positions. i

17. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with atwo-part felt-die, and means for pressing hammer moldings or coresthereon, of two series of pressure-levers fulcrumed below said 'die andin cooperative relation to the respective parts thereof, yieldable shoescarried individually 'by the pressure-levers and engaging frictionallywith'the respective sides of said die, and automatic driving devices forsimultaneously moving the levers toward said die.

18.- In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with atwo-part felt-die, and means for-pressing hammer moldings or coresthereon, of two series of pressure-levers fulcrumed below said die andin cooperative relation to the respective sides thereof, a yieldablespindle carried by each pressure-lever and having a shoe disposed forengagement with one side of the die flbuflers in operative relation tosaid spindle, and automatic driving devices for simultaneously movingthe levers toward the die.

19. In a machine formaking piano-hammers, the combination of a bed, aseries of brackets clamped to said bed and supporting a track orrail, amold fitted removably to said track or rail, arbors supported in saidbrackets below said mold, two series of pressurel cross heads and havinggears, transverse levers each of which is hung on one of said arbors,means for movingsaid pressure-levers of the two series toward the moldsimultaneously, and means for pressing the hammer moldings or cores uponsaid mold.

20. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination of a slidablepressurehead, a pressure mechanism therefor, means for locking saidpressure mechanism in its lowered position, including locking membersadapted for engagement with movable parts of said pressure mechanism,slidable crossheads having operative connection with said lockingmembers, and means for intermittently actuating said cross-heads.

21. The combination with a pressure-head, and a pressure mechanismtherefor, of locking members disposed for engagement with movable partsof said pressure mechanism, slidable cross-heads having operativeconnection with said locking members, and reversible driving mechanismfor positively raising and lowering the cross-heads with intervals ofrest or dwell.

22. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, and means for exerting pressure thereon, of a molding-pressurehead movable into cooperative relation to said felt-die, slidablecrossheads, connections between the cross-heads and the pressure-headfor moving the latter in an opposite direction to the cross-heads andsimultaneously withthe movement of said cross-heads, and reversibledriving devices for positively raising and lowering the crossheads withintervals of rest or dwell in the operation thereof.

23. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination of slidablecross-heads, screw-shafts having engagement with said cross-heads, apressure-head connected operatively with said cross-heads for movementin an opposite direction thereto, driving-shafts having loose gearsarranged to mesh with a gear on said screw-shafts, clutches forindividually making the gears fast with the driving-shafts, and meansfor automatically shifting said clutches to bring either of the gearsinto operation and to disengage said clutch from both gears.

24. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination of slidablecross-heads, screw-shafts engaging therewith, a pressurehead, a pressuremechanism for said head, locking mechanism controllable by the movementof the cross-heads and operatively related to said pressure mechanism,horizontal driving-shafts having gears adapted to mesh with gears on thescrew-shafts, and automatic clutch devices cooperating with said gearsof the driving-shafts.

25. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination ofvertically-slidable cross-heads, screw-shafts engaging with saiddriving-shafts having loose gears meshing with the gears of thescrew-shafts, clutches on said driving-shafts, a cam-controlled shippermechanism having lever connection with said clutches, a pressure head, apressure mechanism for'said head, and locking devices controllable bythe movement of the crossheads and having operative relation to elementsof the pressure mechanism.

26. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination of verticalscrew-shafts, gearing connecting said screw-shafts for simultaneouslyoperating same, slidable crossheads having threaded engagement with saidscrew shafts, transverse driving shafts, clutch-controlled gearingbetween the driving-shafts and the screw-shaftsfor positively rotatingthe latter alternately in opposite directions, a pressure-head, pressuredevices for said head, and locking mechanism controllable by thecross-heads and cooperating with movable elements of the pressuremechanism.

27. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with apressure-head, of slidable cross-heads connected operatively with saidpressure-head,a nut mounted loosely in each cross-head and provided withreversely-toothed ratchets, screw-shafts on which the nuts are screwed,pawls mounted on each cross-head and disposed for engagement with saidratchets, and means for disengaging the pawls from said ratchets as thecross-head approaches the limits of its movement in opposite directions.

28. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with apressure-head, of slidable cross-heads connected operatively with saidpressure-head, a nutmounted loosely in each cross-head, a screw-shafthaving threaded engagement with said nut, means for driving saidscrew-shaft in opposite directions, reversely-toothed ratchets fast withsaid nut, pawls carried by said cross-head and disposed for engagementwith the respective ratchets, and means for automatically throwing thepawls out of engagement with their respective ratchets as the cross headapproaches the limit of its movement in opposite directions.

29. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with apressure-head, of slidable cross-heads connected operatively with saidpressure-head, a nut idly mounted in each cross-head, screw-shaftshaving threaded engagement individually with said nuts, stop devicesfixed on said screw-shaft, reversely-toothed ratchets fast with saidnut, and pawls mounted on the cross-head and having means adapted forengagement with said stop devices as the cross-head reaches the limit ofits movement in opposite directions.

30. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination of adriving-shaft, a

mold. pressure devices actuatedrintermittently by said driving-shaft forforcibly closing said mold, a pressure-head arranged to present hammermoldings or cores vtothe mold, an independent pressure mechanism forsaid pressure-head, locking devices disposed for en,- gagement withparts of said pressure devices for the pressure-head, and ,means forintermittently actuating the pressure-head and said locking mechanism.

31. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combination with afelt-die, and a pressure-head therefor, of sets of pressure devices forforcibly closing said felt-die, a driving-shaft, slotted driving-gearsconnected operatively with said felt-die-pressure devices and adapted tointermittently actuate the same, a pressure mechanism for thepressurehead, cross-heads driven by the driving-shaft, a lockingmechanism controllable by said crossheads for holding the pressure-headin its operative position, and a stop mechanism for periodicallyarresting the motion of the machine when the cross-heads reach thelimits of their movement in either direction and the die-pressuredevices shall have completed their effective movement in closing thefelt-die.

32. In a machine for making piano-hammers, the combinationofdriving-shafts having worms, counter shafts having slotted worm-gearsmeshing with said worms of the driving-shaft, a mold, pressure devicesoperatively disposedto the mold and connected with said worm-gears to beactuated intermittently thereby, a pressure-head cooperating with themold, a pressure mechanism for said head, cross-heads driven by thedriving-shafts, a locking mechanism controllable bysaid crossheads andcooperating with the pressure devices for the pressure-head, andbelt-shipping mechanism driven by one of the countershafts.

33. vIn a piano-hammer-making machine, the combination of a felt-die, amolding-pressure head, a main shaft, non-slidable screwshafts, travelingcross-heads actuated by the screw-shafts and connected with said pressurehead, clutch-controlled reversing-gearing between the main and screwshafts, means for periodically shifting a clutch of such gearing as thecross-heads reach the limit of their traveling movement, amolding-pressure mechanism cooperating with said pressure-head andcontrollable by the cross-heads to act on said pressure-head subsequentto the movement thereof into cooperative relation to the feltdie, anddie-pressure devices actuated by the main shaft and cooperating with thefelt-die.

34. In a piano-hammer-making machine, the combination of a felt-die, amolding-pressure head, a main. shaft, non-slidable screwshafts,traveling cross-heads actuated individually by the screw-shafts andconnected operatively with said pressure-head, fast and loose gearsbetween the screw and main shafts, double-faced clutches havingcooperative relation to each pair of loose gears, shipper devices formoving the clutches periodically on the completion of the traversingmovement of the cross-heads, a moldingpressure mechanism cooperatingwith the pressure-head and effective in acting thereon subsequent to themovement of said pressurehead into cooperative relationto the felt-die,and die-pressure devices actuated by the main shaft and cooperatingwiththe felt-die.

35. In a piano-hammer-making machine, the combination with a felt-die, amoldingpressure head, and a main shaft, of countershafts driven from themain shaft and provided with clutch-controlling cams, die-pressuredevices driven intermittently from the counter-shafts, screw shaftshaving means connected with the pressure-head, gears between the mainand screw shafts, and aclutch mechanism controllable by the cams on thecounter-shaft and cooperating with said gearing for periodicallycontrolling the pressurehead.

36. In a piano-hammer making machine, the combination of a felt-die, amolding-pressure head, a main shaft, traveling cross-heads connectedwith said pressure-head, non-slidable screw-shafts geared to thecross-heads, trains of reversible driving-gears between the screw andmain shafts, automaticallyshipped clutches cooperating with saidreversible driving-gears and effective in starting, stopping andreversing the screwshafts, each clutch being shiftable between certainloose gears of the train and in one direction, with a period of rest ordwell, and by a continuons movement in the opposite direction, amolding-pressure mechanism cooperating with the pressure-head and actingthereon subsequent to the movement of said pressurehead into cooperativerelation to the felt-die, anddie-pressure devices actuated from the mainshaft and cooperating with the felt-die.

37. In a piano-hammer-rhaking machine, the combination with a felt-die,a moldingpressure head, and a main shaft, of crossheads connected withsaid 1 pressure-head, screw-shafts having threaded engagement with thecross-heads, gearing connecting said screw-shafts for insuring rotationthereof-at equal speed, a train of reversible drivinggears between themain shaft and a screwshaft, and a shipper-controlled clutch operablebetween loose members of the gear-train for periodically starting andstopping the screw-shaft.

38. In a piano-hammer-making machine, the combination with a felt-die,and a moldingpressure head, of cross-heads operatively connected withsaid pressure-head, longitudinal counter-shafts, cross-shafts geared tosaid counter-shafts, screw-shafts having threaded engagement with thecross-heads, trains of reversible driving-gears on the cross-shafts andthe screw-shafts, clutches mounted on the cross-shafts for cooperationwith certain gears of the trains thereon, cams on the countershafts,clutch-shippers controllable by said cams, and die-pressure devicesactuated by said counter-shafts.

39. In a piano-hammer-making machine, the combination With a felt-dieand a moldingpressure head cooperating therewith, of crossheadsoperatively connected with said pressure-head for moving the same, amain shaft, counter-shafts geared to the main shaft, a train ofdriving-gears driven by the main shaft for imparting traversing motionto the crossheads, die-pressure devices operable intermittently by thecounter-shafts, and an automatic stop-motion controllable by one of thecounter-shafts and operatively related to the main shaft for arrestingthe latter on the completion of the traversing motion of the crossheadsand subsequent to the effective period of the die-pressure devices.

40. In a piano-hammer-making machine, the combination With a felt-die,of a slidable pressure-head movable toward and from said die,pressure-levers acting on said head and carrying locking-stirrups,cross-heads connected with said pressure-head and operable to raise thelatter, means for suspending and adjusting the pressure-levers, lockingdevices controllable by the traversing movement of the cross-heads anddisposed for engagement with the locking-stirrups subsequent to thelowering of the pressure-head and the pressure-levers to their activepositions, and means for imparting traversing movement to thecross-heads.

41. In a piano-hammer-making machine, the combination With a felt-die,and a moldingpressure head. cooperating therewith, ofvertically-slidable cross-heads, means connecting the cross-heads andthe pressure-head for moving the latter by the movement of the former,nuts carried by the cross-heads, screw-shafts having threaded engagementwith the nuts, reversible driving mechanism for said screwshafts, meansfor starting and stopping the driving mechanism periodically, and meansfor arresting the traversing movement of the cross-heads by making thenuts run idly thereon as the cross-heads reach the limits of theirmovement in either direction.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDMUND T. WOLF.

Witnesses:

CHARLES W. BALOH, FRANK A. BROBERG.

